The beauty of no-carve pumpkin designs is that they can be painted, engraved, embedded, pasted-on, and more. So, if your crafting skills lie in more traditional forms of decoration, no-carve pumpkins are definitely the way to go. No-carve options are also the safer alternative when decorating pumpkins with kids, keeping little fingers far from the sharp knives and poke tools. Another perk of no-carve pumpkins? Your pumpkins might last longer. Any pumpkin carver has experienced the saggy, mushy, bug-infested consequences of carving a pumpkin too early, but with no-carve pumpkins, that’s much less likely to happen—and when it happens, it’ll happen much later. You can even put these no-carve decorations into practice with fake or craft pumpkins, which won’t rot and can be used year after year. Below, find 23 no-carve pumpkin ideas that will give you all the inspiration you need to create beautiful, impressive pumpkins this Halloween and fall, whether you want to go all-in on the crafting supplies or would prefer something easy.
Pumpkin Painting Ideas
What you’ll need:
PumpkinAcrylic paintPliersLong-reach lighterBox of crayons (You can stay within the Halloween color scheme, or use a rainbow of shades that will look festive all season long.)
How-to: Developed by Morgan Levine. What you’ll need:
PumpkinsHot glue gun and hot glue sticksSpray paint in dark blue, teal, and aqua
How-to: Developed by Jessica Gregg. What you’ll need:
PumpkinHighlighterPaper towelsPaint pens in at least two colors
How-to: What you’ll need:
PumpkinNewspaperDamp ragChalkboard spray paintChalkPencil (for Cat)Scissors (for Cat)Black construction paper (for Cat)Glue gun (for Cat)
Ghost how-to: Cat how-to: What you’ll need:
PumpkinDamp ragNewspaperMetallic spray paint
How-to: Developed by Morgan Levine. What you’ll need:
PumpkinAcrylic paint in pink, yellow, green, blue, purple, and redPaintbrushSharpie in black
How-to: Developed by Jessica Gregg. What you’ll need:
PumpkinMakeup sponges in a variety of shapesScissorsAcrylic paint in a range of colorsScrap paper
How-To: What you’ll need:
PumpkinAcrylic paintPaint pensPaint brushCircle template
How-to: Developed by Morgan Levine. What you’ll need:
PumpkinFaux floral stems, such as eucalyptus, cotton, peony, mum, rabbit’s ear, and maroon tree leaves from a craft storeHot glue gun and hot glueChalk paintAcrylic paintFoam paintbrushBristle brush
How-to: Developed by Jessica Gregg. What you’ll need:
PumpkinAcrylic paint in at least two colorsPaint brushNatural sea spongeScrap paper
How-to: What you’ll need:
PumpkinColorful or patterned pushpinsAcrylic paint or spray paintDry erase marker
How-to: Developed by Morgan Levine. What you’ll need:
PumpkinsWhite spray paintBlack acrylic paintSharpie oil-based paint markerPaintbrush
How-to: Developed by Jessica Gregg. What you’ll need:
PumpkinFloral stencilAcrylic paintFoam dabber or small sponge
How-to: What you’ll need:
PumpkinAcrylic paintSpray paintPaint pens (We like the look of metallic pens on white paint, but if you’d like something a little spookier, feel free to use black paint and orange or gold pens.)
How-to: Developed by Morgan Levine. What you’ll need:
Mini pumpkinsWhite acrylic paintFoam paintbrushCactus napkinsMod PodgeScissors
How-to: Developed by Jessica Gregg. What you’ll need:
PumpkinAcrylic paint and paint brushCollected leaves (or a leaf stencil)Ballpoint penPaint pen
How-to: What you’ll need:
PumpkinBlack acrylic paintWire, pliable with handsNeon el wire, 9 feetHot glue gun and hot glue
How-to: Developed by Jessica Gregg.
Pumpkin Decorating Ideas
What you’ll need:
PumpkinDry erase marker in a light colorCandy: black and white licorice pinwheels; coconut jelly beans; black licorice jelly beansHot glue gun
How-to: What you’ll need:
PumpkinDry erase marker in a light color (avoid black)ScissorsWashi tape
How-to: What you’ll need:
PumpkinPaper and pencilScissorsMasking tapePermanent Chisel Tip Sharpie in black
How-to: What you’ll need:
PumpkinBlack tissue paperScissorsDry erase marker in a light colorMod PodgeFoam brush
How-to: What you’ll need:
PumpkinVinyl, bright multi color packScissors
How-to: Developed by Jessica Gregg. What you’ll need:
PumpkinButtonsHot glue gun
How-to:
